Damper linkage



Dec.` 19, 1944. E Q YOUNG 2,365,320

DAMPER LINKAGE Filed April 50, 1943 lNvENvToR MV/0.,

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1944 UNITED' STATES PATENT" orrlcl'eA 2,365,320 DAMPER LINKAGE Emil O. Young, Cleveland, Ohio Application April 30,. 1943, Serial No. 485,246

2 claims. (o1. csv- 110) This invention relates to linkage structure used in dampers, or the like, and has particular application to dampers used for air conditioning systems. y

It is an object of this invention to provide a novel form of linkage and connection thereof, with the blades, comprising the damper, whereby to accurately control the movement of the blades f and to cause the movement of the same into openl and closedpositions with a minimum amount of movement of the control instrumentalities therefor.

It is a further objeci-l of this invention to provide a novel mounting for the blades of the damper, whereby the movement of these members takes place through a very small arc.

It is a further object of this invention to provide novel connection between the various blades of the damper in combination with the mounting therefor, whereby to effect the desired minimum movement of said blades. Y

Further and more particular objects of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the accompanying specication and illustrations in the drawing.

include a substantially rectangular shell, includ-f ing the ends I, and top and bottom members 2 and 3 respectively. Mounted adjacent the top member 2 is a suitable motor member 4 adapted to control the movement of the blades 5 and 6, by means of a cable la.

Passing now to Figure 2, it will be noted that the blades 5 and 6 are shown as being pivotally mounted at I and 8 respectively, in the top and bottom members 2 and 3. The said blades 5 and 6 comprise sheet metal members of substantially rectangular formation including pivotal members 9 and I0, the same being interconnected by means of a, link I I.

The blades 5 and B are mounted on the pivotal points 'I and 8` in such a manner that these pivotal points are more nearly adjacent one edge of the blades for purposes that will be hereinafter set forth.

Suitable felt strips I 2 and I3 are provided on the blades 5 and 6 for sealing the same in their closed position.

It should be understood that the foregoing con- ,struction of blades and links is duplicated throughout the length of the damper, and it will be noted that the blades 6 are interconnected at their lower edges looking nowat Figure 2, by means of arms' I4 extending downwardly from the lower edges thereof, and pivotally connected at I 5 to an actuating bar IB,l

Adjacent the center of the damper, the bar I6 is provided with an upstanding arm I'I rigidly connected therewith, the same being in turn connected with a link I8, and the link I8 being pivotally engaged with a large lever I9.' The large lever I9 is pivotally engaged at its upper end at 20, with the lower member 3 of the'damper, and its lower end is engaged with the cable 1a operated by the motor 4. A suitable guide 2| is provided at this point for the lever I9, and the said lever is connected witha spring 22 to a tension adjusting means 23 fastened to the lower member 3.

Since the lever I9 is pivotally engaged at 20 with the member 3, movement of the lever in a counterclockwise direction upon relieving the .tension in the cable 'Ia will cause the bar IB to move toward the right, and since the bar I6 is. in turn connected with each of the blades 6 of the unit, simultaneous movement of the blades will be caused to take place toward the dotted line position of Figure 2. This simultaneous movement will likewise sin'iultaneouslycause movement of the blades 5 toward the dotted line position of thisvgure, by reason of the connection of the blades by means of the links II. AThis obviously causes movement of the upper edges of the blades toward one another, and, of course, the movement of the bar I6 in the opposite direction will cause the movement of the upper edges of the through the damper and permits the flow to be very accurately controlled with a minimum amountof movement of the blades of the damper either` toward or from the open and closed positions.

Referring now to Figure 3, wherein is disclosed a modied form of linkage, it will be noted that the blades 5 and 6 are similarly mounted on the pivots 1 and 8 respectively, and the blades include pivotal connecting members 24 and 25, at the lower edges of the same. These pivotal members are in turn engaged with links 26 and 21 respectively, and the links in turn engage at their inner ends with an actuating lever 28, said actuating lever being supported on a central pivot 28 supported on the bottom member of the unit.

The construction above referred to will be duplicated in respect to each pair of vanes throughout the length of the damper, and will be actuated by a main arm 30 connected to one of the blades 5 or 6, in this instance, being connected to the blade 6 and extending downwardly therefrom.

The arm 30 will be a rigid arm of substantial length, and will be engaged at its lower end with a spring 3|, similar to the spring 22 before referred to, and, likewise, be controlled for movement by means of a cable 33.

When the arm 30 is moved in a clockwise di,- rection, upon tensioning the cable 33, it will be seen that the upper edge of the blade, 6 will move toward the dotted line position shown in this igure, around the pivot 8, and because of the connection of the blade 5 therewith, by means of links 26, 2l and 28, the last named blade will, likewise, be moved simultaneously toward the dotted line position around the pivot l. In this, modified form of damper, it will be noted that the opening and closing movements of the vane -members are similarly controlled throughout the very small arc of movement, as was the case with reference to Figure 2, the primary difference resting in the linkage structure interconnecting the lower ends of the same. y The same arc of movement, of course, is due to the location of the pivotal points l, and 8,'which, for the purposes of this invention, are very important, and permit the i accurate regulation of the ow of air through the damper.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a damper of the class described, a pair of swingable blade members, a pivotal mounting for said blade members spaced a substantial distance from the center thereof, a single link pivotally connecting said blade members, the point of pivotal connection of one end of the link with one blade member being at .one s ide of the axis of pivotal support thereof, and the point of pivotal connection of the other end of the link with the other blade member being at the opposite side of the axis of pivotal support of the other blade member, an arm connected to one of said blade members, and an actuating bar for said arm.

2. In a damper of the class described, apluralityof pairs of blades, a housing surrounding said blades, said blades being pivotally supported in said housing at points-spaced a substantial distance from the centers of the blades, a single link connecting each pair of blades attached to one blade at one side of its pivotal axis and to the other blade at the opposite side of its pivotal axis, an actuating bar connected with one of the blades for each pair, and a lever connected with said bar for causing simultaneous movements, of the pairs of blades toward and from closed position.

EMIL O. YOUNG. 

